Syracuse football's 2026 class is a record-setting one for the program, and that speaks to the recruiting chops of head coach Fran Brown and his top-flight staff.
As the early signing period wraps up on Friday, Dec. 5, the Orange has signed 26 high school seniors. The team's 2026 cycle is No. 31 nationally via the industry-generated 247Sports Composite and No. 29 overall, per the industry-generated Rivals Industry Ranking.
Ahead of the early signing period, which began this past Wednesday, the 'Cuse had 26 verbal pledges. During the early signing period, 25 commits signed with the Orange, one flipped and the team brought in one additional recruit, giving Syracuse football 26 in total.
The modern era of recruiting services publishing comprehensive scouting evaluations and rankings over the Internet dates back to the early 2000s. And, according to the 247Sports Composite and the Rivals Industry Ranking, the Orange's 2026 class is the highest-ranked cycle for the program in the modern recruiting services era.
Highest ranked recruiting class in @CuseFootball history! 🍊🏈https://t.co/e09lIEQ5R4
— Syracuse Athletics (@Cuse) December 5, 2025
In Syracuse football's 2026 class, it is led by five-star wide receiver and top-25 national prospect Calvin Russell III, the squad's highest-ranked commit in more than two decades. Six 2026 signees for the 'Cuse are ranked four stars by at least one recruiting service, too.
See below for the Orange's class rankings dating back to 2003. One thing to note is that the 247Sports Composite rankings are for high school prospects only, while the ratings from the Rivals Industry Ranking do include college transfers over the past few seasons.
Either way, what Brown and his staff have done in 2026, despite a rough 2025 stanza, is nothing short of remarkable. The future is bright on the Hill.
Syracuse football's team rankings going back to 2003.
2026
247Sports Composite: No. 31
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 29
2025
247Sports Composite: No. 44
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 50
2024
247Sports Composite: No. 35
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 37
2023
247Sports Composite: No. 88
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 75
2022
247Sports Composite: No. 68
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 65
2021
247Sports Composite: No. 60
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 59
2020
247Sports Composite: No. 57
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 58
2019
247Sports Composite: No. 47
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 58
2018
247Sports Composite: No. 51
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 49
2017
247Sports Composite: No. 54
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 55
2016
247Sports Composite: No. 62
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 62
2015
247Sports Composite: No. 57
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 53
2014
247Sports Composite: 52
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 57
2013
247Sports Composite: No. 74
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 71
2012
247Sports Composite: No. 60
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 61
2011
247Sports Composite: No. 58
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 60
2010
247Sports Composite: No. 60
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 72
2009
247Sports Composite: No. 92
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 120
2008
247Sports Composite: No. 52
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 59
2007
247Sports Composite: No. 45
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 43
2006
247Sports Composite: No. 55
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 63
2005
247Sports Composite: No. 64
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 84
2004
247Sports Composite: No. 59
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 88
2003
247Sports Composite: No. 55
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 47